Enforcement project aims at impaired drivers

A new, integrated police unit is patrolling southwestern Nova Scotia, targeting motorists who choose to get behind the wheel while impaired.

The one-year pilot project, launched by the province Dec. 20, will be based out of the Chester RCMP detachment and will be responsible for enforcement in Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis and Kings counties.

RCMP will provide the unit with vehicles, office facilities and four traffic services officers. Bridgewater and Kentville police services will also provide officers.

"Alcohol continues to be the leading contributing factor to fatal collisions in our province," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott.

The province is providing resources to train an additional 48 technicians to operate breath-testing instruments throughout the province. It is purchasing 20 additional screening devices to help front-line officers detect and process impaired drivers and 10 in-vehicle video cameras, which will allow officers to capture and retain relevant evidence when interacting with impaired drivers.

Costs for the equipment, training and pilot program will be covered under existing budgets from the departments of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Justice, Health Promotion and Protection, and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations within the current fiscal year.